Cosmetic applicator with replaceable cartridge



E. v. PlTTON 3,002,517

COSMETIC APPLICATOR WITH REPLACEABLE CARTRIDGE Oct. 3, 1961 Filed Dec. 8. 1959 INVENTOR.

EVA V. PITTON l iil.IllI

United States. Patent 3,002,517 COSMETIC APPLICATOR WITH REPLACEABLE CARTRIDGE Eva V. Pitton, 4165 Hill St., San Diego, Calif. Filed Dec. 8, 1959, Ser. No. 858,271 2 Claims. (Cl. 13285) The present invention relates generally to cosmetics and more particularly to a cosmetic applicator with replaceable cartridge. 1

The primary object of this invention is to provide a cosmetic applicator having a brush supplied with substantially fluid or paste-like material such as lip rouge, or the like, from a replaceable cartridge contained in the applicator.

Another object of this invention is to provide a cosmetic applicator having a manually operable screw type feed which is indexed to supply a controlled amount of rouge as required. v

A further object of this invention is to provide a cosmetic applicator which is compact, self-contained and attractive in appearance and which is fitted with a brush enclosing cap, enabling the applicator to be carried in a pocket or purse.

Finally, it is an object to provide a cosmetic applicator of the aforementioned character which is simple and convenient to operate, and which will give generally eflicient and durable service.

With these and other objects definitely in view, this invention consists in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of elements and portions, as will be hereinafter fully described in the specification, particularly pointed out in the claims, and illustrated in the drawing which forms a material part of this disclosure, and in which: 7

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation view of the applicator, the cover cap being indicated in broken line;

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 22 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 44 of FIGURE 2; and

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5-5 or" FIGURE 2.

Similar characters of reference indicate similar or identical elements and portions throughout the specification and throughout the views of the drawing.

The applicator includes a generally cylindrical barrel having a tapered nose portion 12 in which is fixed an end block 14, having a plurality of bristles embedded therein to form a brush 16, said end block also having an axial bore or duct 18. The brush 16 may be of any suitable configuration as used in conventional brush type applicators for cosmetics. The rear end of the barrel 10 has an externally threaded portion 20 toreceive an internally threaded connecting sleeve 22 in which is a fixed guide block 24, said guide block abutting the end of said barrel and having a short plug portion 26 which extends into the barrel.

The connecting sleeve 22 extends axially beyond the guide block 24 and mounted in the sleeve is a rotatable nut collar 28 having a screw threaded axial bore 30. The nut collar 28 has a rearwardly extending reduced diameter boss 32 forming a shoulder 34, the connecting sleeve 22 having an inwardly turned end flange 36 which engages said shoulder and holds the nut block against axial movement. Fitted through the threaded bore 30 is an elongated feed screw 38 having a flat face 40 extending along its full length, the guide block 24 having a smooth axial bore 42 with a flat portion 44, through which said feed screw is free to slide axially but is held against rotation.

Fixed on the boss 32 is a hollow, cylindrical end casing 46 having a smoothly tapered, closed end 48, said end casing enclosing the feed screw 38 and providing manually operable means for turning the nut collar 28. At the forward end of the nut collar 28 is a reduced diameter hub 50 having a plurality of axially extending notches 52 in the periphery thereof. Fixed in the guide block 24 is a rearwardly projecting resilient detent pin 54 which engages in the notches 52, said guide block having a small cavity 56 to permit flexing of the detent pin 54. Thus by turning the end casing 46, the nut collar 28 is rotated around the feed screw 38, moving the feed screw axially,

the amount of rotation being controlled or indicated by the click stop action of the detent pin 54.

Fitted inside the barrel 10 is a tubular cartridge 60 containing cosmetic material 62 in paste or semi-fluid form, said cartridge preferably having a generally conical nose 64 which seats in a correspondingly shaped recess 66 in the end block 14. The nose 64 has a central aperture 68 which is aligned with the duct 18. The rear end of the cartridge 60 is openand is fitted with an axially slidable piston 70, having a socket 72 to receive the end of the feed screw 38. The piston 70 may be included as a part of the cartridge assembly and thus serve to protect the cosmetic material 62 while in package form or in storage. Alternatively, the piston 70 may be connected to the end of the feed screw 38 as part of the actuating mechanism. The plug portion 26 of guide block 24 bears against the end of cartridge 60 and holds it firmly in place in the recess 66, to prevent leakage of the cosmetic material.

The cartridge 60 is easily removed for replacement by unscrewing the connecting sleeve 22, at which time the feed screw 38 is retracted to accommodate a fresh cartridge. The length of the end casing 46 is such that the feed screw 38 cannot be completely removed from the nut collar 28 and, to prevent removal forwardly, the enclosed end of said feed screw may be provided with an enlarged head 74. The actuating mechanism is thus completely enclosed and is not prone to jamming in normal use.

When the piston '70 is forced into the cartridge 60, the cosmetic material is extruded through the aperture 68 and duct 18 into the brush 16, the proper amount being determined by trial. The detent mechanism is particularly useful in this instance, since the required amount can be indicated by a specific number of clicks of the detent pin 54, so avoiding an excess of cosmetic material in the brush 16.

To facilitate carrying the applicator in a pocket or purse, the brush may be enclosed by a smoothly tapered cover cap 76, having an open end 78 which is a press fit on the end of the barrel 10 and may be removed easily when required. The entire applicator may be attractivey shaped and decorated in any suitable manner, even to the extent of elaboration, since the cost of the applicator itself is only an initial expense, the upkeep being the cost of the simple replaceable cartridges. The entire structure may be molded from plastic material, with the exception of the detent pin 54 and perhaps the connecting sleeve 22, but any other suitable material can be used according to requirements.

While the applicator is primarily for use with lip rouge, it will be evident that other cosmetics which can be used in fluid or semi-fluid form with a brush may also be adapted to the cartridge arrangement. For instance, mascara and eye shadow may be applied in such a manner, or even hair tinting dye for small area application can be used.

The operation of this invention will be clearly comprehended from a consideration of the foregoing description of the mechanical details thereof, taken in connection with the drawing and the above recited objects. It will be obvious that all said objects are amply achieved by this invention.

It is understood that minor variation from the form of the invention disclosed herein may be made without departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and that the specification and drawing are to be considered as merely illustrative rather than limiting.

I claim:

1. A cosmetic applicator, comprising: an elongated, cylindrical barrel having a brush fixed in one end thereof; a duct connecting the interior of said barrel with said brush; a tubular cartridge removably held in said barrel and having an aperture communicating with said duct; said cartridge being suitable for containing a substantially fluid cosmetic material; a piston axially slidably mounted in said cartradge; a connecting sleeve removably attached to the other end of said barrel; a nut element rotatably mounted in said connecting sleeve and held against axial movement thereby; an axially extending feed screw operatively engaged by said nut element; a guide block fixed in said connecting sleeve; said feed screw extending slidably through and being non-rotatably held in said guide block; said guide block bearing on and holding said cartridge in place; said feed screw engaging said piston to drive the piston into said cartridge and extrude said cosmetic material through said duct into said brush.

2. A cosmetic applicator, comprising: an elongated, cylindrical barrel having a brush fixed in one end thereof; a duct connecting the interior of said barrel with said brush; a tubular cartridge removably held in said barrel and having an aperture communicating with said duct;

said cartridge being suitable for containing a subustantially fluid cosmetic material; a piston axially slidably mounted in said cartridge; a connecting sleeve removably attached to the other end of said barrel; a nut element rotatably mounted in said connecting sleeve and held against axial movement thereby; an axially extending feed screw operatively engaged by said nut element; a guide block fixed in said connecting sleeve; said feed screw extending slidably through and being non-rotatably held in said guide block; said guide block bearing on and holding said cartridge in place; said feed screw engaging said piston to drive the piston into said cartridge and extrude said cosmetic material through said duct into said brush; and detent means engaging said nut element to control the rotation thereof; an end casing portion fixed to said nut element and having a closed end enclosing said feed screw; said end casing portion constituting a manually rotatable means to actuate said nut element.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,252,719 Proctor Jan. 8, 1918 1,362,937 Grace Dec. 21, 1920 1,909,146 Bohanan May 16, 1933 2,041,605 Heilweil May 19, 1936 2,272,641 Mureau Feb. 10, 1942 2,629,889 Lengyel Mar. 3, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 27,086 Australia June 4, 1930 

